Adjustable thickness sheeting device for a food processing device

ABSTRACT

A food processing attachment for a food processing device includes a rotational adapter configured to be selectively coupled with a drive system of the food processing device. A food holder is coupled to the rotational adapter and having a base, wherein the food holder is selectively rotated by the rotational adapter. A central spear extends perpendicularly from a center of the base. A plurality of radial flanges extend perpendicularly from the base, wherein each radial flange of the plurality of flanges is discontinuous with the other radial flanges, wherein the central spear and the plurality of radial flanges are adapted to secure a food item in a processing space and in communication with the rotational adapter. A blade is coupled to an operable carriage and is adapted to selectively engage the food item within the processing space to remove at least a portion of the food item.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/833,812 filed Mar. 30, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,241,017,entitled ADJUSTABLE THICKNESS SHEETING DEVICE FOR A FOOD PROCESSINGDEVICE, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/522,840 filed Jul. 26, 2019, entitled ADJUSTABLE THICKNESS SHEETINGDEVICE FOR A FOOD PROCESSING DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,653,152, whichis a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/381,647 filedDec. 16, 2016, entitled ADJUSTABLE THICKNESS SHEETING DEVICE FOR A FOODPROCESSING DEVICE, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,559, which claims priorityto and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/396,277 filed on Sep. 19, 2016, entitled ADJUSTABLETHICKNESS SHEETING DEVICE FOR A FOOD PROCESSING DEVICE, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DEVICE

The device is in the field of food processing devices, and morespecifically, an adjustable thickness sheeting device attachment thatcan be used in conjunction with a food processing device.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, a food processing attachment for a foodprocessing device includes a rotational adapter configured to beselectively coupled with a drive system of the food processing device. Afood holder is coupled to the rotational adapter and having a base,wherein the food holder is selectively rotated by the rotationaladapter. A central spear extends perpendicularly from a center of thebase. A plurality of radial flanges extend perpendicularly from thebase, wherein each radial flange of the plurality of radial flanges isdiscontinuous with the other radial flanges, wherein the central spearand the plurality of radial flanges are adapted to secure a food item ina processing space and in communication with the rotational adapter. Ablade is coupled to an operable carriage and is adapted to selectivelyengage the food item within the processing space to remove at least aportion of the food item.

In at least another aspect, a food processing attachment for a foodprocessing device includes a rotational adapter configured to beselectively coupled with a drive system of the food processing device. Afood holder is selectively rotated by the rotational adapter. Aplurality of radial flanges extend perpendicularly from the food holder,each radial flange of the plurality of radial flanges beingdiscontinuous with the other radial flanges. A blade is coupled to anoperable carriage and is adapted to selectively move through aprocessing space defined proximate the food holder.

In at least another aspect, a food processing attachment for a foodprocessing device includes a rotational adapter configured to beselectively coupled with a drive system of the food processing device. Afood holder is selectively rotated by the rotational adapter to define aprocessing space. A plurality of radial flanges extend perpendicularlyfrom the food holder, each radial flange of the plurality of radialflanges being discontinuous with the other radial flanges. A blade iscoupled to an operable carriage. The blade is adapted to selectivelymove through a processing space defined proximate the food holder. Theblade is biased by the operable carriage toward the processing space.The blade is operable from a rest position distal from the processingspace, an initial cutting position defined by the blade entering intothe processing space, and a stopping position defined by the carriageengaging a portion of the food holder, wherein the stopping positionprevents further movement of the blade through the processing space.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present devicewill be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the artupon studying the following specification, claims, and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an aspect of the sheeting attachmentshown in a rest position;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an aspect of the sheeting attachmentshown in the rest position and attached to a food processing device;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the sheeting attachment of FIG. 1showing the sheeting attachment in a stopping position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the sheeting attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an opposing side elevational view of the sheeting attachmentof FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the sheeting attachment of FIG. 3with the sheeting attachment shown proximate the stopping positionindicative of the initial cutting position;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the sheeting attachment of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hard food holder used in conjunctionwith the sheeting attachment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a soft-food holder that can be used inconjunction with the sheeting attachment;

FIG. 10 is a detailed elevational view of the sheeting attachment withthe hard food holder installed thereon and the sheeting attachmentpositioned in the stopping position;

FIG. 11 is a detailed elevational view of the sheeting attachmentshowing the soft-food holder installed thereon and the blade in theinitial cutting position and moving toward the stopping position;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of an aspect of a sheeting device withthe soft-food holder installed thereon and the carriage in the stoppingposition;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the soft-food holder of FIG.8 ;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the soft-food holder of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate aspect of the sheetingattachment showing an alternative aspect of the biasing mechanism;

FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the sheeting attachmentof FIG. 15 , taken along line XVI-XVI;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a user interface for operating thebiasing mechanism of an aspect of the sheeting attachment; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an aspect of the sheeting attachmentincorporating a supplemental blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1 . However, itis to be understood that the device may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 , reference numeral 10 generally refers toa sheeting attachment that can be used in conjunction with a foodprocessing device 12 or similar appliance, where a rotational apparatus14 of the food processing device 12 rotates a portion of the sheetingattachment 10 to rotate a food item 16 that can be cut with a blade 18set upon an operable carriage 20 that is biased toward the food item 16.According to the various embodiments, the food processing attachment, inthe form of the sheeting attachment 10, includes a rotational adapter 22that is configured to be selectively coupled with a drive system 24 ofthe food processing device 12. A food holder 26 is selectively coupledto the rotational adapter 22 and includes a base 28 that connects to therotational adapter 22. It is contemplated that the food holder 26 isselectively rotated by the rotational adapter 22 upon activation of thedrive system 24 of the food processing device 12. A central spear 30extends perpendicularly from a center 32 of the base 28. It iscontemplated that the central spear 30 extends along the rotational axis34 of the rotational adapter 22. Alternatively, it is contemplated thatthe central spear 30 can be disposed off-center in various aspects ofthe device.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-12 , a plurality of radial flanges 36 extendperpendicularly from the base 28. It is contemplated that each radialflange 36 of the plurality of radial flanges 36 is discontinuous withthe other radial flanges 36. In this manner, each radial flange 36extends individually from the base 28 for retaining the food item 16thereon. It is also contemplated that the central spear 30 and theplurality of radial flanges 36 are adapted to secure the food item 16within a processing space 38 of the sheeting attachment 10 and incommunication with the rotational adapter 22. Accordingly, uponactivation of the drive system 24, the drive system 24 of the foodprocessing device 12 rotates the rotational adapter 22 and, in turn,rotates the food holder 26 and the food item 16 attached thereon.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-12 , the food holder 26 is adapted to securethe food item 16 within the processing space 38. A food guide 50 of thesheeting attachment 10 can include an elongated spear 52 that opposesthe central spear 30 and the plurality of radial flanges 36 in the foodholder 26. In this manner, the food guide 50 is typically in an axiallyfixed and rotational relationship on a portion of the frame 54 of thesheeting attachment 10. The food guide 50 can also be removable forcleaning and replacement. The food holder 26 can include a set of foodholders 26 that can be removed from the rotational adapter 22 andreplaced from the rotational adapter 22 based upon the food item 16being processed by the sheeting attachment 10. According to the variousembodiments, the elongated spear 52 of the food guide 50 is typicallyoperated as a support for holding the food item 16 within the processingspace 38. The food holder 26, while also serving to hold the food item16 in the processing space 38, also has additional rotational grippingfunctions that hold the food item 16 in the processing space 38 and alsosubstantially prevents unwanted slipping, shredding or other unwanteddeformation of the food item 16 during use of the sheeting attachment10. To assist in this gripping function, the food guide 50 can include aholding fork, integral flanges, supplemental spears or other foodholding mechanisms that can assist the food guide 50 in securing a fooditem 16 in the processing space 38. These food holding mechanisms aretypically incorporated during the processing of softer food items 16,and food items 16 that may have a tendency to flake off or break upduring processing.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-14 , the plurality of radial flanges 36 extendfrom the base 28 and can be adapted to extend in an non-perpendicularorientation from the base 28. In such an embodiment, radial flanges 36can be configured to extend at a non-predetermined angle from the base28 to provide additional gripping functions for holding the food item 16within the food processing space 38. In such an embodiment, the foodholder 26 can be inserted into the food item 16 such that an at leastpartial rotation of the food holder 26 is necessary to insert the radialflanges 36 within the food item 16. The slight angle of the radialflanges 36 necessitates this at least partial rotation of the foodholder 26 as it inserts into the food item 16. It is contemplated thatthe angle that the radial flanges 36 are set at is toward the directionof rotation of the rotational adapter 22 during use of the sheetingattachment 10. Accordingly, the engagement of the food holder 26 withthe food item 16 can define a more secure engagement, such that the fooditem 16 is biased toward the base 28 and is prevented from slipping offof the food holder 26 during use of the sheeting attachment 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-14 , the blade 18 of the sheeting attachment10 is coupled to an operable carriage 20. The blade 18 is adapted toselectively engage the food item 16 within the processing space 38 toremove at least a portion of the food item 16. The portion of the fooditem 16 removed is indicative of a desired food processing manipulation,where such manipulation can take the form of sheeting, shredding,slicing, and other similar operation that involves a cutting operationperformed on the food item 16 during operation of the sheetingattachment 10. The blade 18 is further adapted to be laterally biased bythe operable carriage 20 toward the food holder 26 and the food guide50. The blade 18 is operable from a rest position 60 that is distal fromthe food item 16, where the rest position 60 can be indicative of afully extended position that allows for easy insertion and removal of afood item 16 that is to be or has been processed. The blade 18 is alsooperable to an initial cutting position 62 defined by the blade 18engaging the outer surface 64 of the food item 16. During operation ofthe sheeting attachment 10, a biasing force 66 moves the blade 18 fromthe outer surface 64 of the food item 16 towards an inner part of thefood item 16 to define a stopping position 68. The stopping position 68of the blade 18 is defined by the carriage 20 engaging a portion of thefood holder 26. The stopping position 68 serves to prevent furtherprocessing of the food item 16 by the blade 18 when the blade 18 engagesa portion of the food holder 26. It is contemplated that the stoppingposition 68 can be defined by a portion of the carriage 20 engaging thefood holder 26, rather than the blade 18, to prevent unnecessary damageto the blade 18 and/or food holder 26 during operation of the sheetingattachment 10.

In order to move the operable carriage 20 from the rest position 60 tothe initial cutting position 62, the sheeting attachment 10 can includea user interface 80 that is operated by the user for manuallymanipulating the carriage 20 and the blade 18 for proper positioningduring use or after use. According to the various embodiments, the userinterface 80 can be in the form of a rack-and-pinion mechanism 82 thatslidably operates the carriage 20 in a direction perpendicular to thecentral spear 30. The user can rotate a handle 84 rotationally attachedto the frame 54 that operates a gear or pinion gear 86 that rotates inrelation to a rack gear 88 to manipulate the position of the carriage 20with respect to the food item 16. It is contemplated that other userinterfaces 80 can be used to alter the position of the carriage 20 andthe blade 18 from the rest position 60 to the initial cutting position62 and from the stopping position 68 back to the rest position 60. Suchuser interfaces 80 can include, but are not limited to, levers, slides,knobs, screw-type drives, motorized mechanisms, hydraulic mechanisms,pneumatic mechanisms, ratcheting-type mechanisms, spring-loadedmechanisms, combinations thereof and other similar mechanisms that canserve to position the carriage 20 with respect to a food item 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-11 , the carriage 20 and blade 18 are operatedfrom the initial cutting position 62 to the stopping position 68 throughapplication of a substantially consistent biasing force 66 exerted onthe carriage 20. This substantially consistent biasing force 66 can bein a range from approximately four pounds of force to approximately sixpounds of force applied toward the food item 16 and in a directionperpendicular to the central spear 30 and elongated spear 52 of the foodholder 26 and food guide 50, respectively. This biasing force 66 can beapplied by various biasing mechanisms 100 that can include, but are notlimited to, spring mechanisms, elastic mechanisms, constant forcesprings, a low-rate spring, and other similar biasing mechanisms 100.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-11 , during operation of the sheetingattachment 10, the food item 16 can be entirely disposed between thefood holder 26 and the food guide 50. In such an embodiment, the blade18 is positioned relative to the food holder 26, such that the blade 18and/or the carriage 20 engage a portion of the base 28 to define thestopping position 68. In this manner, the blade 18 is adapted to belonger than the food item 16, such that the blade 18 is adapted toprocess the entire length 110 of the food item 16 during use of thesheeting attachment 10. This configuration of the carriage 20 engagingthe base 28 is indicative of a hard food holder 112 that has a smallerdiameter that allows for a minimal securing surface between the hardfood holder 112 and the food item 16. This engagement also provides fora maximum amount of food processing capability as the blade 18 acts uponthe food item 16. It is contemplated that the radial flanges 36 of thehard food holder 112 are positioned substantially near the central spear30 such that the engagement between the hard food holder 112 and thefood item 16 is within a relatively small surface area.

The plurality of food holders 26 can also include a soft-food holder114. The soft foot holder 114 includes a shield 116 that extends outwardfrom the base 28. This can be indicative of a larger base 28 where theshield 116 is simply an extension of the base 28 and is coplanar withthe base 28. It is contemplated that the central spear 30 extends from acenter 32 of the shield 116. The plurality of radial flanges 36 extendoutward from a portion of the shield 116 and are set further away fromthe center 32 of the shield 116 to define a greater radial distance thanthat of the radial flanges 36 of the hard food holder 112. Accordingly,it is contemplated that the soft-food holder 114 is adapted to engage alarger surface area of the corresponding food item 16 than that of ahard food holder 112. In this manner, the larger surface engagementbetween the soft-food holder 114 and the food item 16 allows for greatersurface engagement to limit the amount of food shredding, slipping orother unwanted deformation of the food item 16 that may occur withsofter food items 16, such as pears, peaches, zucchini, and othersimilar soft fruits and vegetables, as well as soft cheeses and meats.

It is further contemplated that when a soft food item 16 is positionedbetween the soft-food holder 114 and the food guide 50, the blade 18 ispositioned relative to the soft-food holders 114 such that the stoppingposition 68 of the blade 18 is defined by the blade 18 bypassing theplurality of flanges of the soft-food holder 114 and engaging thecentral spear 30 of the soft-food holder 114. Accordingly, the soft-foodholder 114 has a shorter length 110 than that of the hard food holder112 such that the processing space 38 is wider to allow the blade 18 tobypass the radial flanges 36. During processing of a soft food item 16,an outer edge of the soft food item 16 will typically not be processed,resulting in a “mushroom cap.” However, this area of unprocessed foodserves to rotationally engage the larger surface area of the soft-foodholder 114 to prevent shredding and unwanted deformation of the foodduring processing within the processing space 38. Accordingly, duringuse of both the hard food holder 112 and soft-food holder 114, thecentral spear 30 and the radial flanges 36 maintain engagement with thefood item 16 during use of the sheeting attachment 10. Additionally, thepositioning of the blade 18 relative to the soft and hard food holders114, 112 allows for continual engagement of the central spear 30 andradial flanges 36 with the food item 16 during processing.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-12 , the carriage 20 and blade 18 are guidedalong a linear path 130 between the rest, initial cutting and stoppingpositions 60, 62, 68 by a linear guide 132. It is contemplated that thelinear guide 132 is adapted to prevent movement of the carriage 20 awayfrom the linear path 130 along which the carriage 20 operates. Thislinear guide 132 can be defined by at least one guide shaft 134 thatextends through a corresponding aperture 136 defined within the frame 54of the sheeting attachment 10. In this manner, the guide shaft 134extends from the carriage 20 to a guide plate 138, where the carriage 20and guide plate 138 are set at a predetermined distance relative to oneanother. In such an embodiment, the rest position 60 can be defined bythe carriage 20 moving away from the food item 16 and engaging a portionof the frame 54. It is further contemplated that the stopping position68 can also be defined by the guide plate 138 engaging the frame 54 todefine a certain distance between the carriage 20 and the central spear30 of either the soft or hard food holders 114, 112. It is contemplatedthat the linear guide 132 can include a plurality of guide shafts 134,such as three guide shafts 134 that extend through apertures 136 definedwithin the frame 54 that extend between the carriage 20 and the guideplate 138. It is further contemplated that the rack gear 88 can alsoextend between the carriage 20 and guide plate 138 where the userinterface 80 attaches a frame 54. Operation of the user interface 80serves to rotate the pinion gear 86 and laterally moves the rack gear 88to position the carriage 20 with respect to the food item 16.

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that differingtension or differing amounts of biasing force 66 can be set bymanipulating the distance between the carriage 20 and the guide plate138. In such an embodiment, the guide plate 138 can be moved toward thecarriage 20. As a result of this movement, a spring 150 is at leastpartially compressed to increase the amount of biasing force 66 that maybe exerted upon the food item 16 during use of the sheeting attachment10. It is contemplated that other forms of adjustment of the biasingforce 66 can be included within the sheeting attachment 10 formanipulating the amount of biasing force 66 exerted upon a particularfood item 16. It is contemplated that a greater biasing force 66 exertedon the food item 16 may result in a thicker or deeper cut of the fooditem 16 that produces a thicker sheet of the food item 16. It is alsocontemplated that the biasing force 66 can be adjusted with respect tothe carriage 20 to modify the cutting depth of the blade 18 with respectto the food item 16 or to more efficiently cut harder or softer fooditems 16.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-17 , it is contemplated that a tensionsetting mechanism 160 can be manipulated by the user to adjust thebiasing force 66 exerted upon the food item 16 during use of thesheeting attachment 10. The tension setting mechanism 160 can be in theform of an adjustment handle 162 that operates in a direction parallelwith the biasing mechanism 100. By way of example, and not limitation,where the biasing mechanism 100 is a coil spring 150, the tensionsetting mechanism 160 can be manipulated to shorten the length 110 ofthe spring 150 and provide a greater biasing force 66 against the fooditem 16. The tension setting mechanism 160 can also be moved away fromthe food item 16 to decrease the amount of biasing force 66 exerted onthe food item 16.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-18 , the blade 18 for the sheeting attachment10 can include a planing blade 18 that processes the food item 16 intoone or more sheets of a substantially consistent thickness. As describedabove, the blade 18 can include other processing functions that can varydepending upon the needs of the user. Additionally, it is contemplatedthat the sheeting attachment 10 can include a supplemental blade 170that is positioned proximate the carriage 20. In such an embodiment, thesupplemental blade 170 can be adapted to pre-score the food item 16before the food item 16 is processed by the blade 18 into one or moresheets. In such an embodiment, when the blade 18 processes thepre-scored food item 16, the scoring from the supplemental blade 170 ismanifested as smaller strips of the processed food item 16. It is alsocontemplated that the supplemental blade 170 can be adapted to furtherprocess the food item 16 after it has been formed into one or moresheets. By way of example, and not limitation, the supplemental blade170 can include a plurality of cutting fingers that serve to separatethe food sheet into a plurality of elongated food strips. Such afunction may be desired where the sheeting attachment 10 cuts a sheet ofa particular food item 16 and the plurality of cutting fingers then cutsthat sheet into strips of vegetable or pasta, such as linguini,spaghetti, or other elongated food item 16.

Other supplemental blades 170 can include cutting blades, slicingblades, chopping blades and other similar cutting mechanisms that canperform a secondary cutting operation after the primary blade 18processes the food item 16 within the processing space 38.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-9 , it is contemplated that the soft-foodholder 114 and/or the hard food holder 112 can include a plurality ofsupporting tines 180 that extend outward from the shield 116 or base 28.In such an embodiment, it is contemplated that the plurality ofsupporting tines 180 are alternatively positioned between the pluralityof radial flanges 36. Additionally, the plurality of supporting tines180 is typically shorter than the plurality of radial flanges 36, wherethe supporting tines 180 can be included to add additional retainingforce to the engagement between the food holder 26 and the food item 16being processed.

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that thesheeting attachment 10 can be used in conjunction with various foodprocessing devices 12 that can include, but are not limited to, standingmixers, food processors, manually operating processing devices, andother similar food processing devices 12.

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that thetension setting mechanism 160 of the sheeting attachment 10 can beadapted for adjustment to set the amount of blade pressure needed forprocessing a particular food or adjusting a cut thickness of the blade18 in processing the food item 16. As discussed above, by adjusting theposition of the adjustment handle 162 of the tension setting mechanism160, multiple spring forces can be achieved through use of a singlespring 150 or other biasing mechanism 100.

As discussed above, the plurality of radial flanges 36 are discontinuousof one other. This discontinuous relationship serves to allow betterstructural cohesiveness of the food to prevent breakage, shredding, orother unwanted deformation of the food during use of the sheetingattachment 10. As discussed above, greater surfacing area is achievedthrough using the soft-food holder 114 with a soft food item 16. Theinclusion of the shield 116 which has a greater diameter than the base28 of the hard food holder 112 provides a greater surface area forengaging the food item 16 within the processing space 38.

According to the various embodiments, the sheeting attachment 10 caninclude various adjustment mechanisms and tension setting mechanism 160that allows for a desired blade pressure for a wide variety of foodtypes and food diameters. Accordingly, the use of the sheetingattachment 10 provides for a substantially consistent biasing force 66being exerted by the blade 18 onto the food item 16 such that the forceapplied against an outer surface 64 of a food item 16 having a largediameter is consistent from the initial cutting position 62 through theentire processing phase and to the stopping position 68. Accordingly, asubstantially consistent thickness of the food sheet can be achievedduring use of the sheeting attachment 10. Additionally, the use of thesheeting attachment 10 allows for a substantially hands-free experiencesuch that the user can manipulate various adjustment mechanisms and isable to turn on the food processing device 12 and allow the sheetingattachments 10 to consistently manipulate and process the food item 16as desired in a consistent manner through the entire processingfunction.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described device and other components is not limitedto any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the devicedisclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unlessdescribed otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength 110 or width of the structures and/or members or connector orother elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number ofadjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. Itshould be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present device. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understoodthat such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claimsunless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodimentsonly.

Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art andto those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood thatthe embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely forillustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device,which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to theprinciples of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A food processing attachment for a foodprocessing device, the food processing attachment comprising: arotational adapter that is positioned within a frame; a food holderpositioned relative to the frame and selectively rotated by therotational adapter to define a processing space; and a blade coupled toan operable carriage, the blade adapted to selectively move through theprocessing space defined proximate the food holder, the blade beingbiased by the operable carriage toward the processing space, wherein theblade is operable between a rest position distal from the processingspace, an initial cutting position defined by the blade entering intothe processing space, and a stopping position defined by the operablecarriage engaging a portion of the frame, wherein the stopping positionprevents further advancing movement of the blade through the processingspace, wherein the operable carriage is guided along a linear pathbetween the rest position, the initial cutting position, and thestopping position by a linear guide, the linear guide adapted to preventmovement distal from the linear path of the operable carriage; and thelinear guide includes at least one guide shaft that extends through acorresponding aperture defined within the operable carriage.
 2. The foodprocessing attachment of claim 1, wherein the linear guide includes aplurality of guide shafts that extend through corresponding apertures inthe operable carriage.
 3. The food processing attachment of claim 1,wherein the blade includes a planing blade that processes a food iteminto one or more food sheets of a substantially consistent thickness. 4.The food processing attachment of claim 1, wherein a biasing mechanismof the operable carriage exerts a biasing force that biases the bladetoward the processing space.
 5. The food processing attachment of claim4, wherein the biasing mechanism is a low-rate spring.
 6. The foodprocessing attachment of claim 1, wherein the blade is positioned withina removable cartridge, wherein the removable cartridge is configured tobe installed and removed from a cartridge receptacle of the operablecarriage.
 7. A food processing attachment for a food processing device,the food processing attachment comprising: a rotational adapter; a foodholder selectively rotated by the rotational adapter to define aprocessing space; a plurality of radial flanges extendingperpendicularly from the food holder; and a blade coupled to an operablecarriage, the blade adapted to selectively move through the processingspace defined proximate the food holder, the blade being biased by theoperable carriage toward the processing space, wherein the blade isoperable through a plurality of positions relative to the food holderwherein: the operable carriage is guided along a linear path between theplurality of positions by a linear guide, the linear guide adapted toprevent movement distal from the linear path of the operable carriage;and the linear guide includes at least one guide shaft that extendsthrough a corresponding aperture defined within the operable carriage.8. The food processing attachment of claim 7, wherein the plurality ofpositions include a rest position distal from the processing space, aninitial cutting position defined by the blade entering into theprocessing space, and a stopping position defined by the operablecarriage engaging a portion of the food holder, wherein the stoppingposition prevents further movement of the blade through the processingspace.
 9. The food processing attachment of claim 7, wherein each radialflange of the plurality of radial flanges being discontinuous with theother radial flanges.
 10. The food processing attachment of claim 7,wherein the rotational adapter is axially fixed with respect to thelinear guide.
 11. The food processing attachment of claim 7, wherein thelinear guide includes a plurality of guide shafts that extend throughcorresponding apertures in the operable carriage.
 12. The foodprocessing attachment of claim 7, wherein the blade includes a planingblade that processes a food item into one or more food sheets of asubstantially consistent thickness.
 13. The food processing attachmentof claim 7, wherein a biasing mechanism of the operable carriage exertsa biasing force that biases the blade toward the processing space. 14.The food processing attachment of claim 13, wherein the biasingmechanism is a low-rate spring.
 15. The food processing attachment ofclaim 7, wherein the blade is positioned within a removable cartridge,wherein the removable cartridge is configured to be installed andremoved from a cartridge receptacle of the operable carriage.
 16. A foodprocessing attachment for a food processing device, the food processingattachment comprising: a rotational adapter positioned within a frame; afood holder positioned relative to the frame and selectively rotated bythe rotational adapter to define a processing space; an operablecarriage slidably coupled to the frame and including a cartridgereceptacle; and a set of blade cartridges that are selectively andalternatively installed within the cartridge receptacle, wherein thecartridge receptacle is adapted to selectively move toward theprocessing space defined proximate the food holder; the cartridgereceptacle being biased by the operable carriage toward the processingspace and through a plurality of positions relative to the food holder;and the cartridge receptacle is guided along a linear path and throughthe plurality of positions by a linear guide, the linear guide adaptedto prevent movement distal from the linear path of the operablecarriage; and the linear guide includes at least one guide shaft thatextends through a corresponding aperture defined within the operablecarriage.
 17. The food processing attachment of claim 16, wherein thecartridge receptacle, when a blade cartridge of the set of bladecartridges is installed therein, is operable between a rest positiondistal from the processing space, an initial cutting position defined bythe blade cartridge entering into the processing space, and a stoppingposition defined by the operable carriage engaging a portion of theframe.
 18. The food processing attachment of claim 17, wherein thestopping position prevents further advancing movement of the bladecartridge through the processing space.
 19. The food processingattachment of claim 16, wherein a biasing mechanism of the operablecarriage exerts a biasing force that biases the cartridge receptacletoward the processing space.
 20. The food processing attachment of claim19, wherein the biasing mechanism is a low-rate spring.